While President Donald Trump secured troop pledges and billions in funding at the inaugural Board of Peace (BoP) meeting in Washington on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Pakistan remained notably absent from the initial list of military contributors.
Islamabad has officially maintained a “wait-and-see” approach, citing specific “red lines” regarding the mission’s mandate in Gaza.
The Troop Pledges: Who is In?
The commander of the new International Stabilisation Force (ISF), Major General Jasper Jeffers, announced that five nations have formally committed troops to the 20,000-strong force:
- Indonesia: Pledged the largest contingent of 8,000 troops. An Indonesian officer will also serve as the Deputy Commander of the ISF.
- Morocco: Committing police and military officers, a first for an Arab nation in this context.
- Kazakhstan: Sending military and medical units.
- Kosovo: Committing specialized units.
- Albania: Pledged personnel for the stabilization effort.
Additionally, Egypt and Jordan have committed to training a new 12,000-member Palestinian police force but have not pledged ground troops for the ISF itself.
Beyond disarming Hamas, Trump’s Board of Peace must deradicalize Gaza as well https://t.co/XD18ibuoNw pic.twitter.com/e0JbEJJ3lH
— California Post Opinion (@capostopinion) February 20, 2026
Pakistan’s “Red Lines” and Strategy
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi clarified Pakistan’s position during a weekly briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the summit in D.C.
| Pakistan’s Stance | Details |
| Peacekeeping vs. Enforcement | Pakistan is willing to join a peacekeeping mandate (protecting civilians/aid) but categorically refuses “peace enforcement” (disarming Hamas). |
| Mandate Clarity | Islamabad is awaiting the final “contours” of the ISF’s legal mandate before making any commitment. |
| Domestic Pressure | Leading religious scholars (including Mufti Taqi Usmani) have warned the government against sending troops that might be seen as “fighting fellow Muslims.” |
| Primary Focus | Pakistan’s current participation in the BoP is focused on Gaza’s reconstruction and humanitarian aid rather than military policing. |
Financial Pledges & The “Trump Plan”
The summit, held at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, saw a massive mobilization of funds:
- U.S. Commitment: President Trump promised $10 billion, though its source (and Congressional approval) remains unclear.
- Regional Pledges: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE each pledged $1 billion toward a $7 billion initial reconstruction fund.
- The Goal: Trump aims to build “tourist resorts” and “successful spots” in Gaza, utilizing the BoP as a more agile alternative to the United Nations.
The Looming Conflict: Disarmament
The “second phase” of the plan, the disarmament of Hamas, remains the primary flashpoint. While Israeli PM Netanyahu warned that Hamas will be disarmed “one way or the other,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated they would only discuss disarmament as part of a wider end to Israeli aggression, not as a precondition.
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